The Archaeology Lab was originally housed in the Public Safety building. However, after the Public Safety department move to the Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness Center, the building that previously housed the Archaeology Lab will be vacant and no longer in use. 

Michael Strezewski, professor of anthropology, said a “bonus”  in moving is that the Archaeology Lab will gain more visibility in the new location.

“Nobody knew it was there because there was no sign or anything like that,” Strezewski said. “We eventually got to the point where they said they were no longer going to use the Public Safety building, so we had to find a new home.”

“This room used to be a computer lab, which wasn’t used a heck of a lot, so I talked to the dean, and we made arrangements to take this space,” Strezewski said.

The lab is used for a variety of activities, such as analyzing artifacts, independent studies, pottery studies and cataloging. 

Faculty and students have noticed the amount of space in the new lab.

Nicholas Mack, junior anthropology major and president of the anthropology club, compared the previous lab in the Public Safety building to a broom closet.

“The old lab was just a bunch of boxes stacked to the ceiling,” Mack said. “This one, though, is nice. We have room for everything. And now people walk by and get to see us work.”

Before, the departments of archaeology and anthropology were spread out, but now they are confined to a smaller space. They previously had spaces in the Liberal Arts Center, the David L. Rice Library and the Public Safety building.

“It was hard to get these things that are spread out all over campus, but now we will finally have room to put it all in one place,” Strezewski said.

Some anthropology students are preparing for a conference in mid-October. They will present their studies of a pig hide to delegates of the Midwest Archaeological Conference. 

Kasey Disbro, senior anthropology major, said the new lab has allowed her to conduct further research.

“The old lab used to be a juggling act of making room before work could start,” she said. “We now have room to conduct bigger experiments as well.”

The Archaeology Lab hosted an open house Monday in the Liberal Arts Center. Snacks and drinks were available to students and faculty as they explored the new lab.